Mani Karnika Ghat is one of the very ancient Ghats of Varanasi. This is very close to the Temple of Lord Kasiviswanath. It is also one of the largest cremation grounds in Ganga. There is a Mani Karika temple and Mani Karnika Khund established there by Lord Vishnu. This great prayer is addressed to Mani Karnika temple by Shankara Bhagawath Pada.
॥ Manikarnika Ashtakam English Lyrics ॥
॥ śrī manikarnikastakam ॥
Thvath Theere Manikarnike Hariharou Sayoojya Mukthi Pradhou ।
Vadham Thou Kurutha: Parasparamubou Jantho: Prayanothsave ।
Madhroopo Manujoyamasthu Harina Proktha: Shivasthakshanath ।
Thanmadhyath Bhrigulanchano Garudaga: Peethambaro Nirgatha: ॥ 1 ॥
Indhradhyasthridhasha: Pathanthi Niyatham Bhogakshaye Ye Puna-।
Jayanthe Manujasthathopi Pashava: Keeda: Pathangadhaya: ।
Ye Matha: Manikarnike Thava Jale Majjanthi Nishkalmasha: ।
Sayujyopi Kireedakousthubhdhara Narayana: Syurnara: ॥ 2 ॥
Kashi Dhanyathama Vimuktha Nagari Salamkritha Gangaya ।
Thathreyam Manikarnika Sukhakari Mukthirhi Thathkinkari ।
Swarloka Sthulitha: Sahaiva Vibhudhai: Kashya Samam Bhramana ।
Kashi Kshonithale Sthitha Guruthara Swargo Laguthvam Gatha: ॥ 3 ॥
Ganga Theeramanuththamam Hi Sakalam Thathrapi Kashyuththama ।
Thasyam Sa Manikarnikoththamaththama Yathrehwaro Mukthidha: ।
Devanamapi Dhurlabham Sthalamidham Papoughanasha Kshamam ।
Poorvoparjitha Punya Punjagamakam Punyarjanai: Prapyathe ॥ 4 ॥
Dhukkhambhodhigatho Hi Janthu Nivaha: sthesham Katham Nishkrithi: ।
Jyathva Thadhhi Virinchina Virachitha Varanasi Sharmadha ।
Loka: Swarga Mukhasthathopi Lakhavo Bhoganthapatha Pradha ।
Kashi Mukthipuri Sadha Shivakari Dharma Artha Moksha Pradha ॥ 5 ॥
Yeko Venudharo Dhara Dharadhara:Srivathsa Bhooshadhara: ।
Yopyeka: Kila Shankaro Vishadharo Gangadharo Madhava: ।
Ye Mathar Manikarnike Thava Jale Majjanthi The Manava: ।
Rudra Va Harayo Bhavanthi Bahavasthesham Bahuthvam Katham ॥ 6 ॥
Thvath Theere Maranam Thu Mangalakaram Devairapi Shlakhyathe ।
Shakrastham Manujam Sahasra Nayanair Dhrushtum Sadha Thathpara: ।
Ayantham Savitha Sahasrakiranai: Prathyugrathobhooth Sadha ।
Punyo Sou Vrushagothava Garudaga: Kim Mandhiram Yasyathi ॥ 7 ॥
Madhyahne Manikarnika Snapanajam Punyam Na Vakthum Kshama: ।
Sweeyairabdhagathai Chathurmukha Dharo Vedartha Deeksha Guru: ।
Yoga Abhyasa Balena Chandrashikhara: Sthath Punya Parangatha: ।
Thvath Theere Prakarothi Supthapurusham Narayanam Va Shivam ॥ 8 ॥
Krichrai: Kodishathai: Swa Papanidhanam Yacchrashvamedhai Phalam ।
Thath Sarvam Manikarnika Snapanaye Punye Pravishtam Bhaveth ।
Snathva Sthothramidham Nara: Padathi Cheth Samsarapayonidhim ।
Theerthva Pallavalavath Prayathi Sadhanam Thejomayam Bhramana: ॥ 9 ॥
॥ Manikarnika Ashtakam Meaning ॥
Oh Manikarnika, when in your banks Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu,
Who can grant salvation at the time of death, were arguing with each other,
And when Lord Vishnu told him, “This man would assume my form,”
At that time from the middle of that being, Lord Vishnu having,
The symbol of sage Brugu on him, came out on the Garuda wearing the yellow silk. ॥ 1 ॥
Indra and other devas try to climb up but even they,
After they exhaust the result of blessed deeds are born as,
A human being or as a worm and Oh Mother Manikarnika,
Those beings who bathe in your sacred waters are free from any stain,
And would assume the form Of salvation of lord Narayana,
Wearing a crown and the gem called Kausthubha. ॥ 2 ॥
The ciry of Kasi as decorated by river Ganges as a very blessed town,
And there Manikarnika is pleasant and is like a maidservant called “salvation”,
And even the heavens, as well as the land of Brahma, are weighed and compared to Kasi,
And being heavier Kasi is down on earth and Heavens being light are on the top. ॥ 3 ॥
The banks of Ganga are incomparable and everything is there, and there in the great Benares,
The Manikarnika is the best among the best as Lord Shiva grants salvation there,
And this place is difficult for even Devas to get as all sins are destroyed there,
And it can be attained only due to blessed deeds of previous births and People get blessings there. ॥ 4 ॥
This Benares was created by Lord Brahms for removing the Sorrow,
Of all those p people who are drowned in the ocean of sorrow,
The heaven and the world above give us pleasure first and downfall later,
But this Benares which is a city of salvation is a place giving us Dharma, wealth as well as salvation.॥ 5 ॥
Hari is the only one who carries a flute, mountain as well as Srivathsa,
Lord Shiva is the only one who carries the poison, Ganges and hew is the same as Hari,
All those human beings who take bath in this Manikarnika ghat,
Would rise up from there as Hari or shiva and where is plurality for them ॥ 6॥
The death on your banks is auspicious and is appreciated by even Devas,
And those men are eagerly awaited by Indra with one thousand eyes,
And the Sun God with one thousand rays rises up eagerly to see,
To which temple those persons riding on Bull as well as Garuda are going. ॥ 7 ॥
The scared effect of taking bath in Mani Karnika Ghat at mid-noon,
Cannot even be told by the teacher Lord Brahma, the Lord who explains Vedas,
Even in hundreds of years and by the power of practicing Yoga and,
By being at end of blessed deeds, the one who sleeps there at night,
Is transformed by Lord Chandrashekara ae Narayana or Shiva. ॥ 8 ॥
The power got by carrying out a hundred crores of painful penances,
And effect Carrying out of Aswamedha sacrifice would all be got,
By one who takes bath in Manikarnika and reading this prayer,
And he would be able to cross the ocean of Samsara as if he is crossing a small body of water. ॥ 9 ॥
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Manikarnika Ashtakam in English – Sanskrit – Kannada – Telugu – Tamil